■•:- 


FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 
REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY   OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

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// 


faster  §I&1 


JUN    1 


Dawn    of   dawns,    the    Easter    Day 

Far  and  wide  in  splendor  breaks  : 

Darkest  shadows  flee  away 

Where  it  breaks. 

Veiled  in  its  vernal  light 

Christ  the  Light  of  Light  arose, 

From  the  grave's  unbroken  night, 

He  arose. 


NEW  YORK: 
ANSON    D.    F.    RANDOLPH    &    CO. 

900    BROADWAY,    COR.    20th    STREET. 


> 


4 


^2 


;|>  A 


VL 


COPYRIGHT,    I080,    BY 

Anson  D.  F.  Randolph  &  Co. 


Edward  0.  Jenkins,  Printer, 
•'.  William  St.,  N.  Y. 


^t>  f 


IV 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

A  Child's  Easter, 40 

An  Easter  Carol, g 

An  Easter  Legend,    -        -        -        -        -  59 

An  Easter  Morning, 46 

An  Easter  Teaching,         -        -        -        -  49 

A  Song  of  Thanks,    -        -        -        -        -  36 

At  Easter  Time, 52 

Christ  is  Risen, 20 

Easter, -  15 

Easter  Days, 24 

Easter  Day,         ------  86 

Easter  Lilies, 16 

Easter  Lilies, 34 

Easter  Tide,       - 45 

Golden  Light  Streaks  Early  Day,         -  80 

"He  is  Risen,"-                                           .  13 

I  Say  to  all  Men,  Far  and  Near,  -    -  72 


4  CONTENTS. 

tage 

"  Life  for  us  is  in  His  Dying  !  "        -        -  64 

Lift  Up,  Lift  Up,  your  Voices  now,      -  62 

Mortis  Portis,    ------  33 

Not  Here,  -------  27 

Oh,  Rouse  Thee,  Earth,  and  Rode  Thy- 
self, -        -------  32 

Our  Life,     -        -        -        -        -        -        -  11 

Plaudite  Cceli,  -        -        -        -        -        -  iS 

Resurgam,    -        -        -        -        -        -        -  57 

"Ring  Out,  Sweet  Easter  Bells,"  -        -  7 

See  the  Land  her  Easter  Keeping,  -        -  85 

Shout  Aloud,  O  Earth  and  Heaven  !      -  22 

The  Light  of  Life, 89 

The  Mighty  Wonder,       -       -       -       -29 

The  Resurrection  Flower,      -        -        -  54 

The  Rising,          ___--.  69 

The  World  itself  keeps  Easter  Day,  -  S3 

True  Easter,       -        -        -        -        -        -  (7 

Twas  Night!   Stili   Night!    -       -       -  75 


<■ 


4  4., 


"RING  OUT,  SWEET  EASTER  BELLS  !" 

"O  ING  out,  sweet  Easter  bells,  ring  out  ! 

The  world  to  life  is  waking, 
And  heavenly  hosts  in  triumph  shout, 
The  joy  of  man  partaking  ; 

For  He  who  died  our  souls  to  save, 
The  Lord  is  risen  from  the  grave. 
Alleluia  ! 

Once  more  the  sea  its  wave  divides, 

That  we  our  Lord  may  follow7 ; 
Then  o'er  the  foe  in  triumph  rides, 
The  hosts  of  sin  to  swallow  ; 

For  He  who  saved  us  from  our  doom, 
The  Lord  is  risen  from  the  tomb. 
Alleluia  ! 

^ ? 


,D. i 

S   ' '  RING  OUT,S  WEE  TEAS  TER  BE  II S. ' ' 

The  Roman  guard  in  vain  shall  keep 

The  dark  and  silent  prison  ; 
No  more  sad  Magdalene  shall  weep, 
For  Christ  the  Lord  is  risen  : 

The  Saviour,  Who  for  sinners  bled, 
The  Lord  is  risen  from  the  dead. 
Alleluia  ! 

Then  ring,  sweet  bells,  the  joy  of  earth 

In  Easter  hymns  to  Heaven, 

And  tell  the  new,  Immortal  Birth 

Of  man  by  Christ  forgiven  ; 

For  our  dear  Lord  is  risen  indeed, 
And  lives  on  high  to  intercede. 

Alleluia  !    Amen. 

JOHN  ANKETELL,  A.M. 


^%  V 


*£: 


4 


AN    EASTER    CAROL. 

TTAIL,  Day  of  Days! 

Day  of  which  prophets  have  spoken, 
Day  on  which  death's  night  is  broken, 
Welcome  to  Thy  healing  rays  ! 
Hail,  Day  of  Light,  Day  of  Days  ! 

Hail,  Day  of  Days  ! 
Sun  of  Peace,  radiant  and  glorious, 
Rising  o'er  darkness  victorious, 

Shine  on  our  sin-clouded  ways  ! 

Hail,  Day  of  Light,  Day  of  Days  ! 

Hail,  Day  of  Days  ! 
Hoping  and  trusting,  believing, 
Unto  the  dust  no  more  cleaving, 
Into  the  tomb  do  we  gaze — 
Hail,  Day  of  Light,  Day  of  Days  ! 


^ 


t 


& 


AN  EASTER  CAROL. 

Hail,  Day  of  Days  ! 
He  is  not  here — He  is  risen, 
Bursting  the  bonds  of  death's  prison, 
Freeing"  our  hearts  in  His  praise — 
Hail,  Day  of  Light,  Day  of  Days  ! 

Hail,  Day  of  Days  ! 
Born  in  the  dew  of  Thy  morning, 
Hope  is  the  soul's  life  adorning, 
E'en  while  the  body  decays — 
Hail,  Day  of  Light,  Day  of  Days  ! 

Hail,  Day  of  Days  ! 

Now  to  the  Father  in  heaven, 

Son,  and  the  Spirit  be  given  ; 
As  from  the  earliest  days, 
Evermore,  evermore,  praise  ! 

H.  HASTINGS  WELD,  D.D  . 


!> 


i\' 


*£. 


4 


^ 


OUR    LIFE. 

r  I  "ELL  all  the  world  the  Lord  is  risen — 

The  Easter  message,  ever  new  ; 
The  grave  is  but  a  ruined  prison — 
Invisible,  the  life  breaks  through. 

Earth  can  not  long  ensepulchre 

In  her  dark  depths  the  tiniest  seed  ; 

When  life  begins  to  throb  and  stir, 
The  bands  of  death  are  weak  indeed. 

No  clods  its  upward  course  deter, 
Calmly  it  makes  its  path  to-day  ; 

One  germ  of  life  is  mightier 
Than  a  whole  universe  of  clay. 


^ 


^ 


Yet  not  one  leaf-blade  ever  stirred, 
Bursting  earth's  wintry  dungeons  dim, 

But  lived  at  His  creative  word, 
Responsive  to  the  life  in  Him. 

Since,  then,  the  life  that  He  bestows 
Thus  triumphs  over  death  and  earth  ; 

What  power  of  earth  or  death  can  close 
The  Fountain  whence  all  life  has  birth  ? 

And,  as  the  last  up-springing  grain 
Breathes  still  the  resurrection  son--, 

That  light  the  victory  shall  gain, 

That  death  is  weak,  and  life  is  strong ; 

So  with  immortal  vigor  rife, 

The  lowliest  life  that  faith  has  freed, 
Bears  witness  still  that  Christ  is  life, 

And  that  the  Life  is  risen  indeed  ! 

MRS.  ELIZABETH  CHARLES. 


F  V 


-HE    IS    RISEN." 

"\  7ERY  early  in  the  morning, 

Ere  the  light  shone  in  the  East — 
Ere  the  stars  announced  the  dawning 

Of  the  day — at  God's  behest : — 
Early  to  the  tomb  of  Jesus 

Came  the  loving  watchers  near; — 
But  two  shining  ones  approached  them, 

Saying  :  "  Jesus  is  not  here  !  " 

"  He  is  risen  !  " — Lord  of  Glory  ! 

"  Pie  is  risen  !  " — earth  to  bless  ! 
Risen  with  the  wings  of  healing  ; — 

Risen — Lord  of  Righteousness  ! 
Vanquished  now  are  sin  and  Satan  ! 

Conquered,  man's  last,  cruel  foe  ! 
Christ  hath  Death's  strong  fortress  taken, 

That  the  world  His  peace  may  know. 


^t i 

14  "HE  IS  RISEN." 

Peace  which  passeth  understanding  ! 

Peace  that  earth  takes  not  away  ! 
Peace  within  the  soul  abiding, 

Ruling  all  with  gentle  sway. 
Strength,  by  which  to  battle  daily 

With  the  powers  of  hell  and  sin  ; 
Grace,  to  conquer  in  the  conflict, 

If  His  kingdom  we  would  win. 

These  our  risen  Saviour  gives  us  ; — 

Gives  lost  man — for  whom  He  died  ; 
Man,  created  in  God's  image, 

And  with  angels  close  allied  ; — 
That  as  Christ  from  death  has  risen, 

Man  may  from  Sin's  death  arise  ; 
Soar  above  to  highest  heaven, 

Through  the  Saviour's  sacrifice. 

JULIA   H.    PORTER. 

§  if 


tf  ? 


A. 


EASTER. 

HP  HE  icy  arms  of  Winter  half  unclose, 

The  world  is  full  of  subtile  growth  and 
bloom, 
And  Spring-,  a  fragile,  tender  child,  is  rocked 

Within  a  cradle  that  is  Winter's  tomb  : 
Along  the  slumbrous  air  a  whisper  runs  ; 

It  fills  the  solemn  silence  like  a  tune  ; 
It  softly  calls,  ''Awake  !  dear  blossoms,  all, 

And  ope  your  eyes  to  greet  the  golden  noon. 
Awake  !  the  Resurrection  Day  has  come  ! 
The    Lord    Himself  has   led   the  way  from 
prison  ; 
Put  on  your  whitest  robes,  O  lily  bells, 

And  chime  the  anthem,  ■  Christ  the  Lord  is 
risen  ! '  " 

MARY  F.   HIGHAM. 


^L 


IV  4. 


^ 


EASTER    LILIES. 

HPHE  Lord  is  risen  !     From  out  the  garden 

tomb, 
Set  amid  lilies'  fair  and  fragrant  bloom, 
The  Conqueror,  triumphant  from  the  dead, 
Bright  and  serene,  uplifts  His  royal  head. 

Scent  of  His  garments'  spicery  and  balm 
Distills  through  all  the  garden.     Pure  and  calm, 
His  loving  glance,  emerging  from  the  tomb, 
Rests  on  the  lilies,  hallowing  all  their  bloom. 

Glad  shines  the  golden  sun  on  Easter  Day  ! 
A  healing  brain  gilds  earth  with  brightest  raw 
Amid  the  lilies  Christ  hath  second  birth, 
A  risen  Lord  is  here  revealed  to  earth. 


& f 


4. 


EASTER  LILIES.  17 

First  fruit  of  them  that  sleep  !  Oh  !  mighty  Lord, 
Forever  be  Thy  holy  name  adored  ! 
Hope  of  the  world  !    Oh  !  Conqueror  over  death, 
Shed  o'er  our  souls  the  lilies'  odorous  breath  ; 

That,  with  pure  heart  and  spotless  hand,  we  may 
Lift  up  to  Thee,  our  songs  on  Easter  Day, 
While  in  each  heart,  released  from  sin's  dark 

tomb, 
The  lily  of  Thy  holy  love  may  bloom. 

MARY  E.  C.  WVETH. 


V  4 


.[> 


c 


PLAUDITE    COLLI. 

T7  XULT,  0  bright  heaven, 
Laugh,  dewy-lipped  air, 
From  morn  until  even — 

Be  joy  everywhere  ! 
Where  swept  the  dark  tempest 

Stands  up  the  tall  palm, 
And  steals  through  its  fair  crest 

A  radiance  calm. 

Come  forth,  O  sweet  spring-tide, 

Come  forth,  ye  fair  flowers, 
On  every  bright  hill-side 

Be  beautiful  bowers  ! — 
Blue  violets  tender, 

With  red  roses  bold, 
And  white  lilies  slender, 

Amid  marigold. 


'I> 


«IV 


PLAUDITE  COELI.  19 

Break  forth  like  a  river, 

Oh,  joy-burst  of  praise  ! 
Let  ever}'  string  quiver 

In  thrill  of  amaze  ! 
For  Jesus  is  risen, 

And  comes,  as  He  said, 
Unhurt  from  the  prison, 

Alive  from  the  dead  ! 

Exult,  O  ye  mountains, 

Ye  valleys  reply, 
Ring  back,  hills  and  fountains, 

The  jubilant  cry  ! 
All  hail  !  He  is  risen, 

And  comes,  as  He  said, 
Unhurt  from  the  prison, 

Alive  from  the  dead  ! 

Translated  by 
ALEXANDER  R.  THOMPSON,  D.D 


.IV  <1. 


"CHRIST    IS    RISEN." 

/"^HRIST  is  risen  !     Christ  is  risen  ! 

Glory  to  the  Father's  name. 
Christ  is  risen  !     Christ  is  risen  ! 

Go,  the  joyful  news  proclaim  ! 
Death  forever  He  hath  conquered, 

And  He  reigneth  now  en  high  ; 
Christ  is  risen,  Christ  is  risen, 

God  the  Saviour  glorify. 

Shout  Hosanna  !  shout  Hosanna  ! 
He  is  Victor  !     He  is  Victor  ! 

O'er  the  terrors  of  the  grave  ! 
Christ  is  risen  !     Christ  is  risen, 

All  His  children  He  will  save  ! 


^T 


"CHRIST  IS  RISEN."  21 

All  ye  nations,  bow  before  Him, 

He  is  God  forever-more  ! 
With  the  Father  now  He  reigneth, 

Heaven  and  earth  His  name  adore. 
He  hath  opened  to  His  people 

Glory's  gate  eternally, 
Christ  is  risen,  Christ  is  risen, 

Spread  the  news  from  sea  to  sea. 
Shout  Hosanna  ! 

Come  ye  ransomed,  to  His  temple, 

Sound  His  triumph  to  the  skies  ! 
Come  ye  faithful,  ye  repentant, 

With  your  risen  Lord  arise. 
See  we  now  our  soul's  redemption, 

Jesus  died  and  rose  again, 
Christ  is  risen,  Christ  is  risen, 

Life  of  all  believing  men. 

Christ  is  risen,      Amen. 

ANONYMOUS. 


JV  4 


SHOUT  ALOUD  !  O,  EARTH  AND 
HEAVEN. 

CHOUT  aloud  !  O,  earth  and  heaven  ! 

Angels  join  the  glad  refrain  ! 
Christ,  for  man,  Himself  has  given  ; 
Christ  has  died,  but  lives  again  ! 

Hail  !  thou  glorious  Easter  morning  ; 

Day  of  joy  beyond  compare  ! 
Angels  hailed  thy  golden  dawning, 

Found  the  stone  no  longer  there. 

Found  the  grave  no  longer  bound  Him, 
Found  Death's  victory  was  o'er  ; 

Christ,  new  glory  shining  round  Him, 
Reigns  in  heaven  forevermore. 

% ? 


■k 


SHOUT  ALOUD  !  23 

Christ  has  died  !     O,  wondrous  story  ! 

Died  !  our  sinful  race  to  save. 
Can  we  bear  this  added  glory  ? 

Christ  has  risen  from  the  grave  ! 

Risen  !  that  we  may  dwell  forever 
With  the  Lord  in  heaven  above  ; 

Nothing  now  from  Him  can  sever 

Those  for  whom  He  showed  such  love. 

All  ye  nations  now  adore  Him, 
Cast  your  offerings  at  His  feet  ; 

Bring  sweet  flowers  to  lay  before  Him, 
And  glad  hymns  of  joy  repeat. 

Shout  again,  O,  earth  and  heaven  ! 

Saints  and  angels,  swell  the  strain  ! 
Christ,  for  man,  Himself  has  given, 

Christ  has  died,  but  lives  again  ! 

ANONYMOUS. 


f 


'I 


< 


EASTER     DAY. 
I. 

Romans  viii.  2;    St.  Luke  xxiv.  34;     Isaiah' lxi.    1;    Psalm 
xxiv.  7. 

13  RIGHT  day  of  freedom,  Easter  Day  ! 

All  hail  our  risen  King  ! 
Restored,  redeemed,  the  sons  of  God, 

New  hymns  of  triumph  sing-. 
No  more  shall  Israel  captive  mourn. 

Set  free  from  death  and  sin  ; 
Fair  Zion's  gates  their  heads  lift  up, 

And  Jesus  enters  in. 

IT. 

2  Chron.  v.   13  ;    Lev.   ix.   24  :    Numbers    x.w  iii.  6  ;   Exodus 
xxx.  t,  7  ;   Rev.  viii.  4. 

Again  above  her  mercy-seat 

The  cloud  of  glory  burns, 
To  Salem's  altar  now  in  peace 

The  sacred  fire  returns. 


^ 


\ 


7P7 


& <k 

EASTER  DA  Y.  25 

Sweet  incense  kindled  at  that  flame 

Perfumes  the  joyous  air 
With  benediction  of  His  grace, 

And  hallowed  breath  of  prayer. 

III. 

Isaiah  lxi.  3  ;  Col.  iii.  1. 

Thy  glorious  beauty,  risen  Lord, 

Crown  every  humble  brow  ! 
Where  contrite  grief  had  ashes  spread, 

Pour  oil  of  gladness  now. 
Baptismal  robe  of  praise  and  grace, 

Jesu  !  for  sackcloth  give, 
If  risen  indeed,  O  Lord,  with  Thee, 

Help  us  in  Thee  to  live. 

IV. 

Isaiah  vi.  6.  7  ;    Rev.  viii.   1  ;    St.  Luke  xxiv.  35  ;  St.  John 
vi.  51. 

A  living  coal  of  Heavenly  fire 
Hath  touched  the  lips  of  praise; 


i 


*l> 


26  EASTER  DA  Y. 

Where  silence  dwelt,  glad  music  swells 

Through  everlasting  days. 
0,  Saviour,  open  Thou  our  eyes, 

Feed  us  with  living  bread, 
That  we  may  know  Thy  presence,  Lord, 

And  with  Thyself  be  fed. 


& 4 


NOT     HERE. 


/^OME  see  the  place  where  Jesus  lay, 

He  is  not  here;  the  angels  say 
That  Christ  the  Lord  is  risen  to-day ! 


Before  the  rising  of  the  sun, 
Came  Mary  and  the  other  one 
To  find  the  mighty  marvel  done  ! 

Then  failing  Peter,  loving  John, 
Did  speed  the  precious  tidings  on, 
And  doubting  Thomas,  too,  anon. 

How  well  that  guard  the  prison  kept  ! 
How  joyously  the  saints  who  slept 
To  life  at  His  arising  leapt ! 


^ 


28  NOT  HERE. 

This  is  the  thing  that  we  have  heard  : 
This  is  His  own  fulfilled  Word  ; 
Are  not  our  hearts  within  us  stirred  ? 

Oh,  rocky  tomb,  with  riven  door, 
And  sacred  shroud  and  hallowed  floor 
.  And  victory  gained  forever  more  ! 

Oh,  risen  Saviour  !  God  and  Lord  ! 
Be  with  our  lips  and  hearts  adored 
In  songs  of  sweet  and  full  accord  ! 

Let  buds  and  blooms  and  garlands  gay 
Tell  forth  in  all  their  rich  array 
Immortal  life  to  mortal  clay. 

Come,  see  the  place  where  Jesus  lay, 
Believe,  rejoice,  then  go  your  way, 
Tell  all  the  world  'tis  Easter  Day. 

Christ  us  resurrexit ! 


%  < 


w 


•IV 


THE    MIGHTY   WONDER. 

/^HRIST  hath  risen  !     What,  to  me, 
May  this  mighty  wonder  be  ? 
Watching  soldiers  fell  as  dead, 
Reading  in  the  lightning  dread, 
Fearful  looking-for  of  doom  : 
View  I,  thus,  the  empty  tomb  ? 

Christ  hath  risen  !     What,  to  me, 
May  this  mighty  wonder  be  ? 

Freedom  from  death's  broken  chains  ; 

Life,  with  Him  in  light  who  reigns  ; 

Harvest  of  our  hopeful  tears, 

With  His  dead,  when  Christ  appears. 


V 


1' 


Jt 

30  THE  MIGHTY  WONDER. 

Christ  hath  risen  !     What,  to  me, 

May  this  mighty  wonder  be  ? 
Must  I  place,  at  His  command, 
On  His  wounds  my  shrinking  hand  ? 
Trembling-,  touch  His  riven  side, 
Ere  my  faith  in  Him  abide  ? 

Christ  hath  risen  !     What,  to  me, 

May  this  mighty  wonder  be? 
Dare  I  ask  Him,  Who  art  Thou? 
Late  the  Victim,  Victor  now? 
Rather,  clinging  to  His  feet, 
I  my  Lord  and  Saviour  greet. 

Christ  hath  risen  !     What,  to  me, 

May  this  mighty  wonder  be? 
Lord — Rabboni  !     Lord — mine  own  ! 
Fully  as  if  mine  alone ; 
Call  me  by  my  name  as  Thine, 
And  I  know  that  Thou  art  mine. 

I>  \ 


b 


1^ 

TW^  MIGHTY  WONDER.  31 

Christ  hath  risen  !     What,  to  me, 

May  this  mighty  wonder  be? 
Signed  with  Thy  Cross  I  am, 
Call  me  by  my  Christian  name  ; 
Saviour,  risen  from  the  dead, 
Break  to  me  the  living  bread. 

H.  HASTINGS  WELD,  D.D. 


I>  <T 


b  <l*. 


"OH!  ROUSE  THEE,  EARTH,  AND 
ROBE  THYSELF." 

/^^Vll  !  rouse  thee,  earth,  and  robe  thyself 

For  the  glad  Easter  Day  ; 
The  season  of  thy  sad  lament 

Has  passed,  this  morn,  away. 
Bring  forth  thy  choicest  blossoms  fair, 
Thine  Easter  offerings  rich  and  rare  ! 

Our  burdens   neath  the  Cross  we  laid 

At  the  dear  Saviour's  feet ; 
Lo  !  in  their  place  the  lilies  spring, 

Laden  with  perfume  sweet, 
And  close  about  the  Cross  they  twine, 
In  all  their  purity  to  shine. 


•l>  -d 


^ 


<k 

"OH  I  ROUSE  THEE,  EARTH"  ETC.     33 

So  glad  a  song  the  people  sing 

To  chime  of  Easter  bells  ! 
That  e'en  thy  breast,  oh,  happy  earth  ! 

With  joyous  rapture  swells. 
And  flowers  upspringing  everywhere 
Breathe  forth  their  joy  upon  the  air. 

Ring  out,  ye  bells,  the  Easter  chime  ! 

Ring  out  your  melody  ! 
This  day  our  hearts  from  weight  of  woe 

Rise  merrily  and  free. 
And,  like  the  lilies  pure  and  white, 
Shine  'neath  the  Easter's  glad  sunlight. 

Oh  !  rouse  thee,  earth,  and  robe  thyself, 

For  this  glad  time  of  praise, 
And  yield  thy  choicest  offerings 

As  we  the  chorus  raise — 
Of  joy  and  peace  and  sins  forgiven, 
Through  Him  by  whom  we  enter  heaven. 

MARY  D.  BRINE. 


W ^Vlv 


EASTER    LILIES. 

"TAARLINGS  of  June  and  brides  of  summer 
sun, 
Chill  pipes  the  stormy  wind,  the   skies  are 
drear; 
Dull  and  despoiled  the  gardens  every  one ; 
What  do  you  here  ? 

We  looked  to  see  your  gracious  blooms  arise 

'Mid  soft  and  wooing  airs  in  gardens  green, 
Where  venturesome  brown  bees  and   butter- 
flies 

Should  hail  you  queen. 

Here  is  no  bee  nor  glancing  butterfly  ; 

They  fled  on  rapid  wings  before  the  snow  ; 
Your  sister  lilies  laid  them  down  to  die, 
Long,  long  ago. 


V  11 


.v 


•IV 


EASTER  LILIES.  35 

And  here  amid  the  slowly  dropping-  rain 

We  keep  our  Easter  feast,  with  hearts  whose 
care 
Mars  the  high  cadence  of  each  lofty  strain, 
Each  thankful  prayer. 

But  not  a  shadow  dims  your  joyance  sweet, 

No  baffled  hope  or  memory  darkly  clad  ; 
You  lay  your  whiteness  at  the  Lord's  dear  feet, 
And  all  are  glad. 

Oh  coward  soul,  arouse  thee  and  draw7  near, 

Led  by  these  fragrant  acolytes  to-day  ! 
Let  thy  sweet  confidence  rebuke  thy  fear, 
Thy  cold  delay. 

Come  with  thy  darkness  to  the  healing  light  ! 
Come  with  thy  bitter,which  shall  be  made  sweet  ! 
And  lay  thy  soil  beside  the  lilies  white, 
At  His  dear  feet ! 


.IV 


<l. 


A    SONG    OF    THANKS. 

HPHAXK  God  for  the  dear  ones  safe  to-day, 

Safe  at  home  on  the  happy  shore, 
Where  the  smile  of  the  Father  beams  for  aye, 
And  the  shadow  of  pain  shall  fall  no  more. 
Thank  God  for  the  hearts  that  have  done  with 
sin, 
For  the  eyes  that  shall  never  be  blind  with 
tears, 
Thank  God  for  the  beautiful,  entered  in 
To  the  perfect  rest  of  the  deathless  years. 

Thank  God  to-day  for  the  pilgrim  feet 
Which  have  trodden  the  last  of  the  toilsome 
way, 
For  the  strong,  for  the  frail,  for  the  babes  so 
sweet 
Who  have  left  forever  this  crumbling  clay, 


i 


.^ 


* <k 

A  SOXG  OF  THANKS.  37 

Who  have  changed  earth's  trial  and  loss  and 

moan, 
For  the  victor's  palm,  and  the  voice  of  praise, 
Who    dwell   in    the   sight  of  the  great  white 

throne, 
And  join   in    the  songs  which   the   ransomed 

raise. 

Thank  God  to-day  for  the  hope  sublime 

Which  fills  our  souls  in  the  darkest  hours, 
Thank  God  that  the  transient  cares  of  time 
Are  wreathed  in  the  glory  of  fadeless  flow- 
ers. 
Thank  God  for  the  rift  in  the  desolate  grave, 
'Tis   the  soldier's  couch,  not   the    captive's 
prison  ; 
He  hallowed  its  portal,  who  died  to  save, 
And  we  write  o'er  its  arch,  "  The  Lord  is 
risen  !  " 

MARGARET  E.  SAXGSTER. 


V  :  W 


ft 


MORTIS   PORTIS. 

T)  ROKEX  is  death's  portal ; 

Hail  the  victory, 
For  the  King  Immortal 

Stronger  is  than  he. 
Now  the  tyrant  cruel 

From  the  throne  is  torn, 
By  the  mighty  duel 

Round  the  cross  forlorn. 

Down  the  darkness  dreary 

Streams  the  light  of  day, 
Like  a  morning  cheery, 

Driving  night  away. 
For  our  God  and  Maker, 

Pitying  our  pain, 
Comes  to  be  the  breaker 

Of  our  iron  chain. 


1' 


¥ 


MORTIS  PORTIS.  39 

We  in  sin  were  lying, 

Helpless  under  doom, 
Given  up  to  dying, 

Captive  to  the  tomb  ; 
Then  in  mercy  tender 

Came  Immanuel  down, 
Laying  by  His  splendor, 

Putting  off  His  crown. 

And  our  nature  mortal 

Did  the  King  put  on, 
Standing  in  the  portal, 

Our  true  champion  : 
Dead  the  foe  lies  under 

His  triumphant  feet. 
Oh,  the  joy  and  wonder  ! 

Sing  with  praises  sweet ! 

Petrus  Venerabilis. 

Translated  by 
ALEXANDER   R.  THOMPSON,  D.D 


V 


t 


^ 


A   CHILD'S   EASTER. 

T  T  AD  I  been  there,  when  Christ,  our  Lord, 

lay  sleeping 
Within  that  tomb  in  Joseph's  garden  fair, 
I   would   have   watched    all    night    beside    my 
Saviour, — 

Had  I  been  there. 

Close  to  the  hard,  cold  stone  my  soft  cheek 

pressing, 
I  should  have  thought   my   head    lay   on   His 

breast  ; 
And  dreaming  that  His  dear  arms  were  about 

me, 

Have  sunk  to  rest. 


i 


IF 


•D> i 

A   CHILD'S  EASTER.  4r 

All   thro'    the   long,   dark   night    when  others 

slumbered, 
Close,    close   beside    Him    still    I   would    have 

stayed, 
And,  knowing  how  He  loved  the  little  children, 
Ne'er  felt  afraid. 

"To-morrow,"    to    my    heart    I    would    have 

whispered, 
"  I  will  rise  early  in  the  morning  hours, 
And  wand'ring  o'er  the  hillside  I  will  gather 
The  fairest  flowers. 

"  Tall,    slender   lilies    (for    my    Saviour    loved 

them, 
And  tender  words  about  their  beauty  spake), 
And  golden  buttercups,  and  glad-eyed  daisies, 
But  just  awake. 


f 


£ 


42 


A   CHILD'S  EASTER. 


'*  l  Grass  of  the  field  '  in  waving,  feath'ry  beaut), 
He  clothed  it  with  that  grace,  so  fair  but  brief, 
s  all  soft  and  green,  and  crimson  berry, 
With  glossy  leaf. 

"  While  yet  the  dew  is  sparkling  on  the  blos- 
soms 
I'll  gather  them,  and  lay  them  at  His  feet, 
And  make  the  blessed  place  where  He  is  sleep- 
ing 

All  fair  and  sweet. 


"The  birds  will  come,  I  know,  and  sing  above 

Him, 
The  sparrows  whom  He  cared  for  when  awake, 
And  they  will  fill  the  air  with  joyous  music 
For  His  dear  sake." 


1> 


<• 


& 4 

^   CHILD'S  EASTER.  43 

And,  thinking  thus,  the  night  would  soon  be 

passing, 
Fast  drawing  near  that  first,  glad  Easter  light. 
Ah,  Lord,  if  I  could  but  have  seen  Thee  leaving 
The  grave's  dark  night, 

I  would  have  kept  so  still,  so  still,  and  clasping 
My  hands  together  as  I  do  in  prayer, 
I  would  have  knelt,  rev'rent,  but  oh,  so  happy  ! — 
Had  I  been  there. 

Perhaps  He  would  have  bent  one  look  upon  me  ; 
Perhaps,  in  pity  for  that  weary  night, 
He  would  have  laid  on  my  uplifted  forehead 
A  touch  so  light ; 

And  all  the  rest  of  life  I  should  have  felt  it, 
A  sacred  sign  upon  my  brow  imprest, 
And  ne'er  forget  that  precious,  lovely  vigil, 
So  richly  blest. 


1- 


.[> 


^A 

44  A   CHILD'S  EASTER. 

Dear  Lord,  thro'  death  and   night  I   was  not 

near  Thee  ; 
Tut  in  Thy  risen  glory  can  rejoice, 
So,  loud  and  glad  in  song  this  Easter  morning, 
Thou'lt  hear  my  voice. 

ANNIE  T.  SL' 


%  3 


*7 


o 


4 


2d^ 


EASTER-TIDE. 

RISEN  Christ  !     Thou  art  the  Door, 
The  ever-shining  Way ; 
The  blessed  Easter-gate  of  life, 
That  opens  to  the  day  ! 

To  Thee,  glad  lustrous  lilies  white, 
Meet  Easter-type,  we  bring  ; 

We  chant,  "  The  Lord  is  risen  indeed  !  " 
First  fruits  of  coming  Spring  ! 

The  spot  that  was  Thy  guarded  tomb, 

Now,  with  its  angel  guest, 
Seems  but  the  lighted  portal  fair, 

Whence  pass  we  to  our  rest. 

All  praise,  our  risen  Lord,  to  Thee, 
For  love  that  conquers  death  ; 

For  faith  that  maketh  quick  to  hear 
One  word  that  "Jesus  saith." 


^  ^ 


^L 


AN  EASTER  MORNING. 

T  N  the  far-off  Land  of  the  Sunrise, 
In  the  early  Easter-morn, 
Where  the  winds  of  heaven  breathe  softest, 
My  sweet  heart-flower  was  born. 

Did  I  stand  between  it  and  heaven 
That  it  faded  away  so  soon  ? 

Or  the  warmth  of  my  heart-love  scorch  it, 
Like  the  heat  of  a  burning  noon  ? 

For  it  faded,  it  faded, — I  watched  it, 
And  the  plant  from  which  it  grew, 

It  withered,  it  withered  before  me, 
For  the  lack  of  the  heavenly  dew, 

* 4 


^ 


A. 


A  N  EA  S  TER  MORNIXG.  4  7 

I  carried  my  plant  and  my  flower, 

I  carried  them  over  the  sea  ; 
I  thought  perhaps  in  the  home-land 

They  would  bloom  again  for  me. 

But  they  faded,  oh,  they  faded  ! 

And  I  stand  at  the  Easter-dawn  ; 
But  what  if  my  plant  has  withered, 

And  what  if  my  flower  has  gone  ? 

I  will  work  through  all  life's  harvest, 
And  will  hide  the  secret  pain, 

While  I  care  for  the  flowers  of  others, 
And  help  to  gather  the  grain. 

I  will  wait  till  the  south  winds  blow 
In  the  time  of  the  springing  corn  ; 

I  will  wait  to  see  my  flower 
At  its  resurrection  morn. 


<k 


48  AN  EASTER  MORNING. 

In  the  love  of  the  holy  Christ, 
I  will  watch  for  that  Easter  Day, 

When  glorious  will  be  the  beauty 
Of  the  flower  I  laid  away. 

And  glorious  will  be  the  beauty 
Of  the  plant  that  once  was  mine, 

At  that  celestial  sunrise, 
Bathed  in  the  dews  divine. 

For  the  love  of  my  plant  and  flower, 
To  the  Easter  glories  born, 

In  tl  e  love  of  Christ,  I  wait 
For  that  resurrection  morn. 

J.  HOI'E  ARTHUR. 


F 


if 


Jk 


AN    EASTER    TEACHING. 

A  S  blossoms,  songs  of  birds,  and  green  turf 
springing 
Alone  make  not  our  welcome  northern  spring, 
So   Easter  flowers  and  bright  -  eyed   children 
singing 
Not  of  themselves  the  joyful  festal  bring. 

What  if  to  Mary  in  the  dewy  morning 

The   garden's    freshness    had  been    all    she 
sought  ? 
If  to  the  flowers  those  leafy  aisles  adorning 
She   had   poured    out    the   spices    that    she 
brought  ? 

If  her  rapt  ear  amid  the  sheen  and  glisten 
And  music  which  that  garden  might  afford, 


50  AN  EA  S  7  ER   TEA  CIIIXG. 

Had  tailed  {or  deeper,  holier  tones  to  listen, 
She  would  have  missed  the  message  of  her 
Lord. 

The  spring  a  presence  is  instinct  and  living, 
Folding  past  winter  in  her  grave  away 

Ev'n  as  the  ris'n  Christ,  our  new  life  giving, 
Cast  off  His  grave-clothes  upon  Easter-day. 

Yet  are  there  multitudes  forever  missing 
'The  inner  meaning  of  our  holiest  things, 

Who  only  see  the  Easter  sunshine  kissing 
A  world  of  spirits  that  have  lost  their  wings. 

They  bend  before  God's  altars,  where  are  twin- 
ing 
His  flowers  of  gorgeous  hue  and  rich   per- 
fume, 
But  never  see  the  angel  whiteness  shining 
Around  the  portals  of  an  empty  tomb. 


<=n 


%  t 


IV 


AX  EASTER   TEACHING.  51 

They  join  the  anthem  grandly  there  upraising 
Their  "  Allelujahs"  from  the  garden's  sod, 

But  never  learn  from  .His  sweet  "  Mary,"  prais- 
ing 
Unto  the  Master  and  the  risen  God. 

Like  flowers,  themselves  in  fresh  attire  clothing, 
With   outward   sheen,   their  outward   forms 
they  wreathe  ; 
But  cast  not  off  with  deep  repentant  loathing 
Sin's  tattered  grave-clothes  closely  wrapped 
beneath. 

But  saintly  souls  will  pierce  the  inner  meaning, 
Will  find  in  beauty's  heart  the  throb  of  love, 

And  from  the  Easter  jubilance  be  gleaning 
The  life  whose  full  perfection  is  above. 

M.  E.  WINSLOW. 


1> 


ir 


.V 


<1. 


AT    EASTER    TIME. 

T^IVE   times,  sweet  heart,  have  song-birds 
said 

Their  matins  o'er  thy  little  mound, 
Since  all  our  lives  were  overspread 

With  anguish  which  no  words  have  found. 

Five  times,  sweet  heart,  have  Easter  flowers 

On  chancel-rail  and  altar-stair 
Been  strewn,  by  loving  hands  of  ours, 

To  greet  the  dear  Christ's  coming  there. 


And  He  will  know.  His  loving  heart 
Will  feel  it,  and  will  understand 

Why  from  the  flowers  we  bring  a  part 
And  lay  them,  with  a  trembling  hand, 


^ 


< 


mJ± 


AT  EASTER   TIME.  53 

Upon  this  little  sacred  place, 

With  faith  and  hope  beyond  our  pain. 

We  trust,  dear  Christ,  Thy  words  of  grace ; 
Our  precious  dead  "  shall  rise  again." 

M.   E.  N. 


*=& 


> 


^ 


7F* 


•IV  i 


THE    RESURRECTION    FLOWER.* 

TTE  folded  his  hands  across  his  breast, 

As  token  that  toils  should  cease  ; 
And  his  pallid  face  had  a  look  of  rest, 
That  startled  them  with  its  peace. 

So  weary  had  been  the  stress  and  strife, 

So  chafing  the  trials  past  ! 
And  now  like  a  loosened  bark  his  life 

Was  drifting*  away  at  last. 

They  had  not  the  heart  to  signal  him, 

With  even  a  touch  or  tone  ; 
As  out  to  the  sea  unknown  and  dim 

They  watched  as  he  went  alone. 

*  The  Virginia  name  for  the  Daffodil  or  Easter  flower. 


THE  RE  S  URRE  C  TION  EL  0  WER.     5  5 

They  knew  that  the  pilot  who  held  the  helm 
Would  guide  to  the  furthest  verge  ; 

Nor  suffer  a  fear  to  overwhelm, 
Nor  suffer  a  wave  to  merge. 

And  so,  as  they  sat  with  hushing  breath, 
Too  burdened,  too  awed  to  speak, 

There  burst  on  the  silent  room  of  death 
A  child,  with  a  flashing  cheek. 

"  Ah,  see  ! "  she  said,  "it  is  sweet  and  bright, 
And  brimmed  to  the  edge  with  dew. 
It  hurried  to  open  its  leaves  last  night, 
To  be  ready  in  time  for  you." 

She  knew  not,  the  darling,  what  she  did, 
As  her  childish  thought  she  told  ; 

Nor  what  was  the  mystic  meaning  hid 
In  that  delicate  cup  of  gold. 


T  1 


y^ 


56     THE  RESURRECTION  FLOWER. 

For  over  the  greening  April  land 

Had  broken  the  Easter  hour, 
And  the  flower  she  laid  in  the  dying  hand 

Was  a  Resurrection  Flower. 

MARGARET  J.  PRESTON. 


*=. 


^K  7TP 


■\  4 


w 


RESURGAM. 

HAT  if  the  earth  hath  seen  no  Easter- 
day, 

No    white  -  robed    angels    splendoring    the 
gloom  ? 
What  if  that  stone  was  never  rolled  away, 

No  place  left  vacant  in  the  world's  vast  tomb  ? 
After  Golgotha's  agony  and  shame, 
Oh  !  what,  my  soul,  if  Christ  rose  not  again  ? 

For  sweetest  love  is  slain  and  none  to  save, 
Joy  turns  to  ashes  even  in  my  grasp  ; 

My  outstretched  hand  within  the  open  grave 
Bears  witness  now  that  there  is  none  to  clasp, 

I  have  been  thrall  to  Love  and  found  it  sweet. 

Has  it  no  hope  but  Death's  eternal  sleep  ? 


\ 


5S  RESURGAM. 

Oh  !  pale  lips  broken  by  this  bitter  cry  ! 

( >h  !  eyes  of  dry  despair  without  a  tear  ! 
Faith  in  the  vaults  of  Death  sits  starrily 

And  sings  :  "  The  Christ  is  risen,  He  is  not 
here. 
Come  see  the  place  where  the  Deliverer  lay — 
The  empty  place,  that  could  not  hold  its  prey," 

For  our  Redeemer  lives,  so  Love  shall  live. 

Our  fair,  sweet  hopes  are  heirs  of  earth  and 
sky. 
What  greater  grace  or  guerdon  would  we  give 

To  our  Beloved  than  Immortality  ? 
His  Word  our  surety  'mid  all  doubt  and  strife  : 
"  I  am  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life." 

LILI.1E  V..   BARR. 


^r 


<£. 


&■ 4 


AX    EASTER   LEGEND. 

T  T  7HERE  lay  the  stone,  in  Joseph's  garden 
fair, 
By  resurrection-angel  rolled  away, 
There  sprang,  in  later  Easter-time, 

A  flower  which  ne'er  before   had    seen  the 
day. 

Close  to  the  portal  of  that  rock-hewn  tomb, 
Arose  this  emblem-flower,  of  grace  untold, 

As  willing  witness  (so  the  legend  runs) 

Unto  His  rising,  whom  no  grave  could  hold. 

And  now,  by  hidden  virtue  of  its  birth, 
After  long  years,  afar  from  where  it  grew, 

This  plant,  though  dry  and  lifeless  to  our  ken, 
Unfolds,  upon  the  water's  brink,  anew. 


~. 


r 


-*=£: 


*^v 


60 


AN  EASTER  LEGE X P. 


Oh,  wondrous  type  of  life  embalmed  of  death  ! 
Of     promised     dawn     beyond    the    "three 
days'  "  grave  ! 
Fair  flow'ring  of  our  glad  Evangel-hope, 

Sown    by  the  Christ  who  died  and  rose  to 
save  ! 

Dear  token  of  that  earliest  Easter  morn, 
When,  in  the  garden,  Mary  heard  the  voice 

That  waked    her   heart  to  life,  and  bade    her 
haste, 
That  Peter,  too,  the  fallen,  might  rejoice  ! 

Within  the  quiet  garden  of  the  soul, 

Who  works  for  God,  no  frost  of  death  can 
chill  ; 
He  who  created,  knows  each  secret  germ — 
Christ  is  the  Life,  and    "  quickeneth  whom 
He  will." 


t 


1 


tp' 


AN  EASTER  LEGEXD.  61 

And  since  a  flower  may  symbolize  His  truth, 
Tis    ours   to  water   with    our   prayers    and 
tears 
The  driest  plant — God's  Resurrection  Flower, 
And    He  will    bid    it   blossom    through    the 
years  ! 

M.  K.  A.  s. 


*a. 


•\r  i 


7^ 


^sx 


IV 


LIFT   UP,  LIFT  UP,  YOUR    VOICES 
NOW. 

IFT  up,  lift  up,  your  voices  now, 
The  whole  wide  world  rejoices  now, 
The  Lord  hath  triumphed  gloriously, 
The  Lord  shall  reign  victoriously. 

In  vain  with  stone  the  cave  they  barred, 
In  vain  the  watch  kept  wapd  and  guard  ; 
Majestic  from  the  spoiled  tomb 
In  pomp  of  triumph,  Christ  is  come  ! 

He  binds  in  chains  the  ancient  foe, 
A  countless  host  He  frees  from  woe, 
And  Heaven's  high  portal  open  Hies, 
For  Christ  hath  risen  and  man  shall  rise. 


d-  <r 


•IV 


LIFT  UP    YOUR   VOICES.  63 

And  all  He  did,  and  all  He  bare, 
He  gives  us  as  our  own  to  share ; 
And  hope  and  joy  and  peace  begin, 
For  Christ  hath  won  and  man  may  win. 

O  Victor,  aid  us  in  the  fight, 
And  lead  through  death  to  realms  of  light ; 
We  safely  pass  where  Thou  hast  trod  ; 
In  Thee  we  die  to  rise  to  God. 

Thy  flock,  from  sin  and  death  set  free, 
Glad  Alleluia  raise  to  Thee  ; 
And  ever,  with  the  Heavenly  host, 
Praise  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

JOHN  MASON  XEALE,  D.D. 


F 


•IV 


4 


-LIFE    FOR   US   IS   IN   HIS    DYING!1 
"  T     IFE  for  us  is  in  His  dying!  " 

So  our  humbled  souls  keep  crying ; 
While  the  Lenten  tears  fall  faster 
At  the  grave  that  shrouds  the  Master, 
Till  within  that  gloomy  garden 
Shines  His  presence  and  His  pardon — 
Glimpse  of  Easter  glory  giving — 
Then,  "Our  life  is  in  His  livitig!" 


*vZ 


¥ 


While  He,  patient,  waits  the  voicing 
Of  our  triumph  and  rejoicing, 
Filled  with  our  own  hearts'  devices 
Still  we  bring  our  burial  spices. 
Vet  the  Love  whose  taking  hallows 
Our  poor  gifts  of  myrrh  and  aloes, 
Rainbows  e'en  our  tears,  and  raises 
Broken,  trembling  prayers  to  praises. 


i5 


"LIFE  FOR  US  IS  IN  HIS  D  YING"     65 

Watcher  where  His  grave  glooms  darken, 
Lift  thy  shadowed  soul,  and  hearken  ! 
Hear  the  strong,  triumphant  singing 
Of  the  risen  in  Christ,  loud  ringing 
In  glad  anthems  from  the  portals 
Of  the  home  of  the  Immortals  ! 
"Sealed  no  longer  death's  dark  prison — 
Christ,  the  Conqueror,  is  risen  !  " 

Tarry  not  to  place  thy  finger 

In  the  wound  where  nail-prints  linger ; 

Leave  the  linen  cloths  that  bound  Him  ; 

Sing,  with  Mary,  "  I  have  found  Him  !  " 

Be  thy  mighty  love  the  token 

That  for  thee  His  heart  was  broken. 

Whom  the  living  Christ  hath  shriven 

Knows,  e'en  here,  the  peace  of  Heaven. 

Death  in  Christ  is  dawning  gladness  ; 
Life  in  Christ  is  robbed  of  sadness  ; 


.[> 


66     "LIFE  FOR  i'S  IS  IN  HIS  D  YING." 

Faith  in  Christ  that  will  not  falter 
Crowns  with  Easter  bloom  His  altar, 
Decks  His  shrine  in  sweetness  vernal, 
Lives  with  Christ  the  life  eternal, 
Tells,  in  song  and  chime  and  story, 
All  a  risen  Saviour's  glory. 

MARY  LOWE  DICKINSON. 


H>  ir 


[V 


TRUE    EASTER. 

r  I  ^HE  world  for  the  dead  Christ  weepeth, 

And  holdeth  her  Lenten  fast ; 
Doth  she  think  that  Christ  still  sleepeth 
And  night  is  not  overpast  ? 
Nay,  but  the  word  is  spoken, 
Nay,  but  the  tomb  is  broken, 
And  "  Christ  is  risen  !     Yea,  Christ  is  risen 
indeed  !  " 

Long  past  is  the  Lenten  moaning, 

Long  past  is  the  bitter  night, 
Long  past  is  the  Easter  dawning, 

Now  it  is  noonday  light. 

Set  ever}'  song  to  gladness  ; 

Why  should  the  Bride  have  sadness  ? 
Her  "  Lord  is  risen  !     Her  Lord  is  risen  in- 
deed !  " 


*V*t 


f 


.fv 


68  TRUE  EASTER. 

He  suffered  once  and  forever 

The  cross,  the  smiting,  and  pain  ; 
Once  did  the  sepulchre  sever, 

But  never,  never  again. 

Earth  nor  hell  can  bereave  us, 

Jesus  never  will  leave  us, 
For  "  He  hath  risen  !     Yea,  He  hath  risen 
indeed  !  " 

Always  so  ready  to  ease  us, 

Always  so  willing  to  stay, 
Pray,  pray  that  the  Living  Jesus 


^ 


May  walk  with  us  day  by  day. 

Always  the  Easter  glory, 

Always  the  same  glad  story, 

"The  Christ  is  risen!     The  Christ  is  risen 

indeed  !  " 

L1LLIE  E.  BAKfc. 

i 

,v 

& 


<l- 


THE    RISING. 

<*  T^  ASTER  !  "  she  saul  in  grave  but  child- 
ish way, 
Letting  the  playthings  she  was  holding,  fall ; 
''What  do  the  folks  mean,  mamma,  when 
they  say 
That  Easter  Sunday  is  the  best  of  all  ?  " 

I  took  the  baby  girl  upon  my  knee, 

And  told  the  story  of  the  Christ  adored  ; 

Of  His  brief  life,  great  love,  and  agony, 
And  how  they  crucified  our  blessed  Lord. 

"They  laid  Him  in  the  grave,"  I  said  at  last, 
"  No  one  believing  He  would  rise  again  ; 

So  when  the  three  days  that  they  waited,  passed, 
They  looked  to  find  Him,  but  they  looked  in 
vain. 


^1' 


;o  THE  RISING. 

"  Death  could  not  keep  Him  longer  in  its  hold  ; 

He  came  again  to  His  disciples'  place, 
Their  living  Lord,  and  as  they  had  been  told 

They  saw  their  dear  Redeemer  face  to  face. 

"  We  keep   that  day  as  one  most  sweet  and 
glad  ; 
We  love  to  think  of  Easter,  and  we  say, 
How  can  the  world  be  gloomy,  sick,  or  sad 
When  Christ  the  Lord  has  risen  for  us  to- 
day ?  " 

The  little  face  was  earnest  and  intent ; 

"  Why,  mamma,  that's  where  sunrise  comes, 
you  know  ! 
Don't   you    suppose    that's    what    the    people 
meant 
When   they   said    'Easter'?     I'm  just   sure 
it's  so  ! '' 


1- 


-A" 


X 


^v 


THE  RISIXG. 


7i 


Oh  baby  lips,  interpreting-  aright 

That  hidden  meaning,  making  all  so  plain  ! 
If  so  there  dawns  for  us  that  heavenly  light 

Then   Christ  our  Saviour  has  not  lived  in 
vain. 

C.   B.   LE  ROW. 


^ 


F 


\ 


1^ 


■k 


4 


I  SAY  TO  ALL  MEN,  FAR  AND  NEAR. 

T   SAY  to  all  men,  far  and  near, 

That  He  is  risen  again  ; 
That  He  is  with  us  now  and  here, 
And  ever  shall  remain. 

And  what  I  say,  let  each  this  morn, 

Go  tell  it  to  his  friend, 
That  soon  in  every  place  shall  dawn 

His  Kingdom  without  end. 

Now  first  to  souls  who  thus  awake 
Seems  earth  a  father-land  : 

A  new  and  endless  life  they  take 
With  rapture  from  His  hand. 


V 


A 


4. 


I  SA  Y  TO  ALL  MEN,  ETC. 

The  fears  of  death  and  of  the  grave 
Are  whelmed  beneath  the  sea, 

And  every  heart  now  light  and  brave 
May  face  the  things  to  be. 

The  way  of  darkness  that  He  trod 
To  Heaven  at  last  shall  come  ; 

And  he  who  hearkens  to  His  word 
Shall  reach  the  Father's  home. 

Now  let  the  mourner  grieve  no  more, 
Though  her  beloved  sleep  ; 

A  happier  meeting  shall  restore 
Their  light  to  eyes  that  weep. 

Now  every  heart  each  noble  deed 
With  new  resolve  may  dare  ; 

A  glorious  harvest  shall  the  seed 
In  happier  regions  bear. 


1 


^ 


^L 


\> 


Uv 


74  I  SAY  TO  ALL  MEN,  ETC. 

He  lives  :  His  presence  hath  not  ceased, 
Though  foes  and  fears  be  rife  ; 

And  thus  we  hail  in  Easter's  feast 
A  world  renewed  to  life  ! 

From  the  German.      Translated  by 

CATHERINE    WIN'KWORIH. 


^vil 


i 


7^ 


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fc 


<l. 


^ 


'TWAS   NIGHT  !   STILL    NIGHT  ! 


>np 


nVAS  night !  still  night  ! 

A  solemn  silence  hung  upon  the  scene  ; 
The  keen,  bright  stars  shone  with  unclouded 
light, 
Calm  and  serene. 


Hushed  was  the  Tomb  : 

The  heavy  stone  before  its  entrance  lay 
No  light  broke  in  upon  its  silent  gloom, 

No  starry  ray. 


The  moonlight  beamed  ; 

It  hung  above  that  garden  soft  and  clear  ; 
Around  the  watchful  guard  its  radiance  gleamed 

From  helm  and  spear. 


IT 


.[> 


76      'TWAS  NIGHT!    STILL   NIGHT. 

The  Tomb  was  sealed  ; 

The  watch  patrolled  before  its  entrance  lone  ; 
The  bright  night  every  passing  step  revealed  ; 

None  neared  the  stone. 


Midnight  had  passed  ; 

The    stars   their   lustrous    shining   had    de- 
creased, 
And   daybreak's  earliest   light  was  hastening 
fast 
In  the  pale  east. 

The  morning  star, 

Last  in  the  silent  Heaven,  withdrew  its  ray  ; 
And  the  white  dawn,  spreading  its  spectre 
light, 

Foretold  the  day. 


^ 4 

'TWAS  XI GUT!    STILL   NIGHT.      77 

An  earthquake's  shock, 

Just    at   the   break    of  morning  shook    the 
ground, 
And  echoed  from  that  rent  and  trembling  rock 

With  startling  sound. 

The  guards,  amazed, 

Fell  to  the  earth  in  wonder  and  affright  ; 
And  round  the  astonished  spot,  in  glory  blazed 

A  sudden  Light. 

An  Angel  there 

Descended  from  the  tranquil  sky  ; 
The  glory  of  his  presence  rilled  the  air 

Ail-radiantly. 

He  rolled  away 

From  the  still  Sepulchre  the  mossy  stone ; 
And  watching  silent  till  the  risen  day, 

He  sat  thereon. 


t 


7r> 


^L 


V 


<L 


73     'TWAS  NIGHT i    STILL   NIGHT. 

His  garments  white 

Shone  like  the  snow  in  its  unsullied  sheen  ; 
His  face  was  like  the  lightning's  gleaming  light, 

Dazzlingly  seen. 

All,  all  around 

Was    silence    and    suspense    and    listening 
dread  : 
The  stirless  watch  lay  prostrate  on  the  ground, 

Hushed  as  the  dead. 


^vT 


X 


At  break  of  day 

The  Saviour  burst  that  Cavern's  stillness  deep, 
Rising  in  conquest  from  Death's  shattered  sway 

As  from  a  sleep. 

He  rose  in  Power, 

In  all  the  strength  of  Godhead  shining  bright, 
Fresh  as  the  hallowed  Morning's  dewy  hour, 

Pure  as  its  light. 


V 


^ 


4 


'TWAS  NIGHT !    STILL    NIGHT.     79 

He  rose  as  God, 

Rose  as  a  mighty  Victor  strong  to  save, 
Breaking  Death's  silent  chain  and  unseen  rod, 

There  in  the  Grave. 

He  rose  on  high, 

While  Angels  hung  around  on  soaring  wing, 
Wresting  from  the  dark  Grave  its  victory  ; 

From  Death  its  sting. 

JOHN  HENRY  NEWMAN,  D.D. 


•|> 


<' 


JV 4 


GOLDEN    LIGHT  STREAKS   EARLY 
DAY. 

/^  OLDEN  light  streaks  early  day— 

Softly  tread  your  sorrowing  way  ; 
But  what  glorious  vision  meets, 
And  what  sound  the  mourners  greets  ; 
Christ  is  risen  to-day, 
See  where  Jesus  lay. 
Hallelujah  ! 

Praise  the  Lord,  who  mighty  broke 
Bands  of  death,  as  He  had  spoke  ; 
Praise  the  Lord  who  smote  the  foes, 
Praise  the  Lord  who  conquering  rose  ; 

Christ  is  risen  to-day, 

See  where  Jesus  lay. 
Hallelujah  ! 


s< 

V 

A 

S±s> 

GOLDEN  LIGHT,    ETC. 

81 

He  has  borne  our  righteous  doom, 

Who  has  left  the  new-made  tomb — 

Carry  pardon's  gladsome  sound 

On  to  earth's  remotest  bound  : 

Christ  is  risen  to-day, 

See  where  Jesus  lay. 

Hallelujah  ! 

Now  may  ransomed  sinners  sing : 

Conquered  Death,  where  is  thy  sting? 

Grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ? 

Join  in  sweetest  melody  : 

Christ  is  risen  to-day, 

See  where  Jesus  lay. 

Hallelujah  ! 

Onwards  on  the  pilgrim  way, 

In  the  light  of  Sabbath-day — 

V. 

l> 

\ 

j^ 

S2  GOLD  EX  LIGHT,  ETC. 

Angel  chorus  lead  the  song, 
Joined  by  the  martyr  throng: 

Christ  is  risen  to-day, 

See  where  Jesus  lay. 
Hallelujah  ! 

Till  in  brightest  light  above 
We  repeat  that  theme  of  love — 
Stay  Thou  with  us,  gracious  Lord, 
By  Thy  Spirit,  in  Thy  Word  ; 

Christ  is  risen  to-day, 

See  where  Jesus  lay. 
Hallelujah  ! 

St.  Bernard,  translated  by  the 

REV.  DR.   EDERSHF1M. 


•^ 


F  f 


ft.  i 


THE    WORLD  ITSELF  KEEPS  EASTER 
DAY. 

r  I  ^HE  world  itself  keeps  Easter  Day, 

And  Easter  larks  are  singing-, 
And  Easter  flowers  are  blooming  gay, 

And  Easter  buds  are  springing. 
The  Lord  of  all  things  lives  anew, 
And  all  His  works  are  rising,  too. 
Alleluia  !    Alleluia  !    Alleluia  ! 
Praise  the  Lord  ! 

There  stood  three  Marys  by  the  tomb 

On  Easter  morning  early, 
When  day  had  scarcely  chased  the  gloom , 

And  dew  was  white  and  pearly  : 
With  loving  but  with  erring  mind 
They  come  the  Prince  of  Life  to  find. 
Alleluia  !    Alleluia  !    Alleluia  ! 
Praise  the  Lord  ! 


•i> 


IT 


.|v 4 

S4         THE    WORLD   ITSELF,  ETC. 

But  earlier  still  the  angel  sped, 
His  words  of  comfort  giving; 
"  And  why,"  he  said,  "among-  the  dead 

Thus  seek  ye  for  the  living?  " 
The  risen  Jesus  lives  again 
To  save  the  souls  of  sinful  men. 

Alleluia!     Alleluia!     Alleluia! 
Praise  the  Lord  ! 

The  world  itself  keeps  Easter  Day, 

And  Easter  larks  are  singing, 
And  Easter  flowers  are  blooming  gay, 

And  Easter  buds  are  springing. 
The  Lord  is  risen,  as  all  things  tell: 
Good  Christians,  see  ye  rise  as  well. 
Alleluia!     Alleluia!     Alleluia! 
Praise  the  Lord  ! 

ANONYMOUS. 


t" 


.0 


SEE  THE  LAND  HER  EASTER  KEEP- 
ING. 

QEE  the  Land,  her  Easter  keeping, 

Rises  as  her  Maker  rose  ; 
Seeds  so  long  in  darkness  sleeping 

Burst  at  last  from  winter's  snows. 
Earth  with  heaven  above  rejoices  ; 

Fields  and  gardens  hail  the  spring; 
Shaughs  and  woodlands  ring  with  voices, 

While  the  wild  birds  build  and  sing. 

You,  to  wThom  your  Maker  granted 

Powers  to  those  sweet  birds  unknown, 
Use  the  craft  by  God  implanted, — 

Use  the  reason  not  your  own. 
Here,  while  heaven  and  earth  rejoices, 

Each  his  Easter  tribute  bring, — 
Work  of  fingers,  chant  of  voices, 

Like  the  birds  who  build  and  sing. 

REV.  CHARLES  KINGSLEY. 


T> 


■IV 


<l. 


EASTER  DAY. 

/^HRIST  has  risen  !  let  the  tidings 

Sweep  thro'  heaven  and  earth  and  sea 
He  hath  burst  the  gloomy  prison, 

Bound  the  jailor,  walked  forth  free. 
At  a  touch  the  gates  He  shattered, 

Rent  in  twain  the  brazen  bars  ; 
Spoiled  the  spoiler  of  his  trophies. 

Shout  for  joy,  ye  morning  stars  ! 

Now  the  Saviour's  tomb  is  empty, 

Angels  sit  beside  the  door ; 
Death,  the  Tyrant,  could  not  hold  Him, 

And  He  wakes  to  sleep  no  more. 
Christ  is  risen  !     Raise  the  Anthem, 

Spread  the  news  with  bliss  so  rife, 
For  the  earth  in  all  its  aspects 

Is  transfigured  like  our  life. 


¥ 


<■ 


.[V 


EASTER  DAY. 

Wipe  the  eyes  all  blind  with  weeping, 

Chase  the  sorrow  from  the  heart, 
We  shall  rise,  for  Christ  is  risen, 

Scorn  we  then  death's  bitter  dart  ; 
Them  that  sleeping-  rest  in  Jesus 

'Neath  the  shadow  of  His  wing, 
When  Creation's  Easter  dawneth, 

At  His  coming  God  will  bring. 

And  our  loved  ones  whom  we  buried 

In  earth's  dark  and  silent  womb, 
They  shall  hear  the  trumpet  sounding, 

Calling  all  from  out  the  tomb  ; 
Not  then  with  despairing  sorrow 

Do  we  mourn  those  gone  before, 
They  are  ours  and  we  shall  clasp  them 

On  the  calm  Eternal  shore. 


87 


7 


Ah,  'twould  break  the  heart  with  sorrow 
If  our  human  life's  bright  stream, 


<■ 


& i 

S3  EASTER  DAY. 

In  the  sea  of  death  had  ending, 

Flashed  and  vanished  like  a  dream  ! 

But  the  empty  tomb  assures  us 
Christ  has  left  that  lowly  bed  : 

Is  the  first  ripe  sheaf  of  harvest — 
Is  the  firstborn  from  the  dead. 

Calmly  we  will  walk  the  valley, 

Pass  along  the  shadowed  way  ; 
For,  though  gloom  and  darkness  haunt  it, 

Leads  it  to  a  glorious  day. 
Raise  we  then  the  joyous  chorus, 

This  exultant  song  we  sing  : 
Grave,  where  is  thy  boasted  triumph  ? 

And,  O  Death,  where  is  thy  sting? 

Hallelujah  !     Amen. 

KEY.  CHARLES  D.  BELL. 


i' 


•D.  4* 


THE  LIGHT  OF  LIFE. 

HTHE  Living  One  hath  died  ! 

Upon  the  altar  bleeds  the  sacrifice  ; 
The  Lamb  without  a  blemish  and  a  spot 

Upon  that  altar  lies. 
In  love  that  death  He  died, 

For  us  the  everlasting  work  was  done  ; 
And  in  that  death  of  death  our  death  He  slew, 

The  Life  our  life  hath  won  ! 
O  Life  !  O  Light  !  how  vast  a  debt  to  Thee, 
What  praise  we  owe  for  such  a  victory  ! 

The  Light  of  life  hath  risen  ! 

All  splintered  lies  the  mortal  prison-bar 
That  tried  to  fetter  the  Almighty  Life, 

And  bind  the  Morning  Star  ! 
That  Star  hath  risen,  and  shines 

In  ever-widening  brightness  in  yon  sky  ; 

$ f 


•> 


w 


90  77/£  LIGHT  OF  LIFE, 

Fairest  and  sweetest,  never  more  to  set, 

Or  leave  its  home  on  high. 
O  Star  of  stars,  O  Light  of  lights,  shed  down 
Thy  splendor  here,  unrivalled  and  alone  ! 

No  darkness  now  we  dread, 

No   sickness   and  no  death   or  death-bed 
gloom  ; 
The  risen  Light  has  lighted  up  our  sky, 

The  risen  Life  our  tomb. 
Night,  whither  art  thou  gone  ? 

We  look  for  thee,  but  only  find  the  day  ; 
Thy  canopy  of  tempest  and  of  cloud 

Has  passed  in  light  away. 
O  death,  O  night,  forever,  ever  past  ! 
Morn  of  the  living,  Thou  hast  come  at  last  ! 

HORATIUS  BONAR.  D.I). 


'!> 


\ 


-^ 


^L 


fe 4 


INDEX   TO    FIRST    LINES. 


PAGE 

As  blossoms,  songs  of  birds,  and  green  turf 

springing,  -------  49 

Bright  day  of  freedom,  Easter  Day,      -         -  24 

Broken  is  death's  portal,        -         -         -         -  38 

Christ  hath  risen  !    What,  to  me,  -         -         -  29 

Christ  is  risen  !     Christ  is  risen  !  -         -         -  20 

Come,  see  the  place  where  Jesus  lay,  -         -  27 

Darlings  of  June  and  brides  of  summer  sun,  34 

Easter  Day,  - 86 

"Easter!"  she  said,  in  grave,  but  childish 
way,   --------69 

Exult,  O  bright  heaven,         -         -         -         -  18 

Five    times,    sweet   heart,    have    song-birds 

said, 52 

Golden  light  streaks  early  day,     -         -         -  So 

Had  I  been  there,  when  Christ  our  Lord  lay 
sleeping,     -------40 

Hail,  Day  of  Days  !-----  9 

He  folded  his  hands  across  his  breast,  -         -  54 


w. 


t 


s*s 

> 

A 

*^K 

92            INDEX  TO  FIRST  LINES. 

PAGB 

In  the  far-off  land  of  the  sunrise, 

46 

I  say  to  all  men,  far  and  near,      - 

72 

Lift  up,  lift  up,  your  voices  now,  - 

62 

"Life  for  us  is  in  His  dying,"       - 

64 

Oh,  rouse  thee,  earth,  and  robe  thyself ! 

32 

O  risen  Christ  !     Thou  art  the  Door,     - 

45 

Ring  out,  sweet  Easter  bells,  ring  out  ! 

7 

See  the  land  her  Easter  keeping,  - 

35 

Shout  aloud,  O  earth  and  heaven  ! 

22 

Tell  all  the  world  the  Lord  is  risen, 

11 

Thank  God  for  the  dear  ones  safe  to-day  !    - 

36 

The  icy  arms  of  Winter  half  unclose, 

15 

The  light  of  Life,  ------ 

89 

The  Lord  is  risen  !     From  out  the  garden 

tomb,           __---__ 

16 

The  world  for  the  dead  Christ  weepeth, 

67 

The  world  itself  keeps  Easter  Day, 

S3 

'Twas  night !  still  night  !       -         -         -         - 

75 

Very  early  in  the  morning,    - 

13 

What,  if  the  earth  hath  seen  no  Easter  Day  - 

57 

Where  lay  the  stone  in  Joseph's  garden  fair, 

59 

<?5 

|> 

i 

^ 

